Here you will find all things about my personal life. From parenthood wins and fails, to why I chose to change to a plant-based diet. My fitness routines and love affair with essential oils are all detailed in the blogs below. If there is anything else you would like to know about, please don't hesitate to email me. For daily updates on my personal life follow me on instragram @emillysonsie

Your “Inner Coach” refers to the positive self-talk that you have with yourself, more likely to come out when you are succeeding. Your “Inner Critic” is the negative self-talk that is more likely to come out if you’ve made a mistake or working on something that you feel is difficult.

Connection and community. It’s what we really all crave. To have connection with people around us and to feel like we belong. To know that we are apart of something bigger than us. I am not a religious person but often I see these big religious gatherings and feel envious of their connection and sense of meaning. So what about those who don’t share in the religion or belief, how exactly do we gain a community around us?

Often I heard these words from parents, “it’s the hardest job you’ll ever do”...that word hard is left ringing in your ears. Often a word associated with negativity. It’s too hard, too difficult, too challenging. So it begs the question if parenting is so hard, if this is everyone’s go to word to describe their parenting experience, why on earth are so many people embarking on a parenting journey?

I lost track of how many people asked me how Hunter was sleeping after about week 1 of having him. As if sleeping is the only thing worth asking questions about when someone has a baby. I vowed to never ask someone how their baby was sleeping unless they brought up the topic. Some sleep, some don’t. Mine didn’t that’s for sure.

It might shock you to think that I was petrified about getting a dog. A big, giant, scary Labrador. The thought of having a big dog actually gave me many anxiety attacks. Having grown up with labs, Michael was set on the fact we would have our own. I only ever had little dogs growing up so the thought of big, slobbery, dog with giant teeth actually scared me.

365 days, 365 sleepless nights, more than 2000 breastfeeds, 3000 nappy changes, endless cuddles, an infinite amount of kisses and a love that grows more each and everyday. The first year of parenthood is done. My little baby, that was once curled up in my tummy is now a walking, talking (read: wobbling, babbling) one year old boy as of tomorrow morning. Blink and you'd miss it.

It is in the face of adversity where you see the most personal growth. There were many take home messages from the The Resilience Project PD but this was what resonated most with me. As a teacher I have always known that adversity and challenges is where we see children make the most growth but it hasn't been until becoming a parent that I have realised how important this really is.

On Saturday we finally made it the NGV Triennial exhibition in the city. It didn’t disappoint. We were a little late to the party, it’s been open since December and I think everyone I know in Melbourne has been. If you haven’t, you have a few days until it closes. A few words made me super keen to go, “interactive” and “free”.

11 strangers in a room. Different ages, different interests, completely different lives. Nothing in common but one thing: our babies were born in the same month. Mother’s group. New parents group. What ever you want to call it. It’s a bunch of women thrust together because their waters broke at the same time.

This weekend we were child free. First night without Hunter. We dropped him off at my parents house and we were off. Off the clock. No baby to watch, no nappies to change, no late night feeds! We had a wedding to attend and had planned some hikes to do as well - making the most of the weekend.

I was concerned with how I would train after Hunter was born, everyone talks about letting themselves go after having kids, how there isn't any time for yourself anymore. I had no idea what exercising with a baby would look like. Having Hunter was definitely going to change things.

Starting solids can often be quite stressful for new mums. Unsure of what and how much to feed them. Whether to purée your own food or buy pre-made items from the supermarket. What if there was an even a simpler solution? That took no more effort than what you were already doing. A solution that was fun and enjoyable for everyone and put the baby in charge of meal time. Well that’s exactly what we did when we ventured on our Baby Led Weaning (BLW) journey with Hunter Feeding has been such a stress free and fun experience with Hunter and it could be for you too...

This Birthday was far different from all the other ones I’ve had. It was my first birthday as a Mum. Things continued to revolve around a baby; waking up on his watch not mine, caring for him all day, feeding, playing, changing him...the list is endless. My birthday was no longer just about me...

Having a baby is no small feat. The whole process; conception, pregnancy, birth and motherhood, it changes you. I would like to think for the better. Having Hunter totally changed the way in which I see myself and how I want to live.

Hunter is 8 months old now. I can safely say, without the fear of jinxing it, that he no longer vomits. I repeat, HE NO LONGER VOMITS! 6 months of a vomiting baby and he's finally stopped, you would shout it from the roof tops too if you knew what we had been through.

School starts back tomorrow and I’ll be working three days a week. Hunter will have two days with my Mum and a Daddy day with Michael. We are very lucky that we don’t have to send him to child care. I 110% trust who is looking after him and, bonus, we save money or the money I earn can actually go to fun things like...bills and a mortgage - reality.